Attachable-type disposable wearing article

ABSTRACT

An attachable-type disposable wearing article including waist elastic members fixed to an end flap, standup gather parts located on opposed widthwise sides, a linear first bending part extending in the width direction from a front edge of one of the back laid-down portions to a front edge of the other, and a linear second bending part extending in the width direction and spaced forwardly apart from the first bending part, a first area adjacent backward to the first bending part and a second area between the first and second bending parts, the waist stretchable region is provided at least between the opposed right and left back laid-down portions, and the second bending part has lower rigidity compared to the second area and the third area adjacent forward to the second bending part.

FIELD OF ART

The present invention relates to attachable-type disposable wearingarticles, including tape-type disposable diapers.

BACKGROUND ART

A common attachable-type disposable wearing article has a crotch sectioncontaining the middle of the front-back direction, a ventral sectionextending forward from the middle in the front-back direction, and adorsal section extending backward from the middle in the front-backdirection, and at least the dorsal section has wings extending from thecrotch section to the opposed lateral sides in the width direction. Thewings are provided with attaching parts which are to be detachablyattached to the exterior surface of the ventral section, while theexterior surface of the ventral section is provided with a target partto which the attaching parts are to be attached. Upon use, the wings arebrought onto the exterior face of the ventral section around the lateralsides of the waist to attach the attaching parts of the wings to thetarget part. Such attachable-type disposable wearing articles are notonly for use by babies, but also for use in nursing care (adult use)(see, e.g. Patent Literature 1).

In general, attachable-type disposable wearing articles fit more poorlyin the round-waist direction compared to the underpants-type disposablewearing articles. In order to remedy leakage on the back, it is proposedto provide the dorsal section with a waist stretchable region havingwaist elastic members, and raise a standup region between this waiststretchable region and the absorber body by means of the contractingforce of the standup gather parts provided on opposed lateral sides, tothereby define a reservoir space on the crotch side of the waiststretchable region (e.g., see Patent Literature 1).

It is important for the attachable-type disposable wearing articlesdisclosed in Patent Literature 1 to bend along the front edge of thestandup region in order to stably retain the shape and position of thereservoir space, but the bending position may likely be displacedbackward to develop an inadvertent folding line in the middle of thefront-back direction of the standup region, and the article maydisadvantageously tend to bend along this inadvertent folding line.

PRIOR ART LITERATURE Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2001-061888 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to Be Solved by the Invention

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to improveretainability of the reservoir space.

Means for Solving the Problem

The attachable-type disposable wearing articles which achieve theabove-mentioned object are as follows:

First Aspect

An attachable-type disposable wearing article including:

-   a crotch section containing a middle of front-back direction, a    ventral section extending forward from the middle in the front-back    direction, and a dorsal section extending backward from the middle    in the front-back direction;-   an absorber body contained in a region including the crotch section;-   an attaching part provided in each of opposed lateral portions of    the dorsal section, and to be detachably attached to an exterior    face of the ventral section,-   an end flap extending backward of a back edge of the absorber body;-   a waist elastic member fixed to the end flap; and-   standup gather parts which stand up from a top face along shielding    positions of bodily waste on lateral sides in the width direction,-   wherein a region containing the waist elastic member is contracted    in the width direction together with the waist elastic member, and    has a waist stretchable region stretchable in the width direction,-   wherein each of the standup gather parts has a root portion fixed    outward in the width direction of a shielding position, a main body    portion extending from the root portion, a front laid-down portion    and a back laid-down portion formed by fixing a front end portion    and a back end portion, respectively, of the main body portion in a    laid down state, a standup portion formed by unfixing the main body    portion between the front laid-down portion and the back laid-down    portion, and a gathering elastic member attached at least to a free    edge area of the standup portion,-   wherein at least the free edge area of the standup portion is    contracted in the front-back direction together with the gathering    elastic member and is stretchable in the front-back direction,-   wherein a linear first bending part extending in the width direction    from a front edge of one of the back laid-down portions to a front    edge of the other of the back laid-down portions and a linear second    bending part extending in the width direction and spaced forwardly    apart from the first bending part are provided,-   wherein a first area adjacent backward to the first bending part and    a second area between the first bending part and the second bending    part are provided,-   wherein the waist stretchable region is provided at least between    the opposed right and left back laid-down portions,-   wherein the second bending part has lower rigidity compared to the    second area and the third area adjacent forward to the second    bending part, and-   wherein, as the standup portions contract, the second area is raised    along the second bending part as a stand-up line, and the first area    is bent back along the first bending part with respect to the second    area.

Effect

According to the present attachable-type disposable wearing article,with the contracting force of the gathering elastic members of thestandup gather parts, the second area is raised along the second bendingpart as the stand-up line, while a portion of the waist stretchableregion located in the first area is, due to the contraction in the widthdirection, pressed against the skin of the wearer, so that the firstarea is bent back along the first bending part with respect to thesecond area. Accordingly, in the present attachable-type disposablewearing article, the second area is raised, and the first area backwardthereof is pressed against the skin of the wearer, which lead to theback edge of the absorber body and its front and back vicinities beingdepressed almost over the entire width of the absorber body to ensureformation of a deep, wide reservoir space (pocket). On the waist side ofthe depression forming the reservoir space, the second area is raisedand the first area backward thereof is pressed against the skin of thewearer, so that the backward migration of the bodily waste is highlyeffectively held back, while good fitting against the body surface of awearer is provided.

Further, the second bending part has lower rigidity and is thus easierto bend compared to the areas forward and backward thereof, so that thebending position of the second bending part is hard to be displacedbackward, which facilitates retention of the shape and position of thereservoir space. Even when the bending position is displaced backward ofthe second bending part by external force temporarily applied during useor product packaging to form a slight inadvertent folding line, thesecond bending part is still easier to bend, and thus the bendingposition is returned to the second bending part upon release from theexternal force to retain the shape and position of the reservoir space.

Second Aspect

The attachable-type disposable wearing article according to the firstaspect, further including:

-   a first sheet layer adjacent to a top side of the waist elastic    members, and a second sheet layer adjacent to an underside of the    waist elastic members,-   wherein the waist elastic member is a plurality of elongate waist    elastic members each extending in the width direction and arranged    at intervals in the front-back direction,-   wherein the first area and the second area each contain at least one    of the waist elastic members,-   wherein, in the second area, joined zones of the first sheet layer    and the second sheet layer extending continuously backward from a    front edge of the second area crossing the waist elastic members and    unjoined zones of the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer    extending continuously backward from a front edge of the second area    crossing the waist elastic members are provided alternately and    repeatedly in the width direction, and-   wherein the second bending part is free of the joined zones.

Effect

With such a structure, the front edges of the joined zones are locatedon the front edge of the second area, and the portion containing thejoined zones, i.e., the portion adjacent backward to the second bendingpart has a relatively higher rigidity in the presence of the joinedzones. As a result, the rigidity of the second area may be made higherthan that of the second bending part with a simple structure using aparticular pattern of the joined zones. Further, higher rigidity isimparted to the second area also by contraction in the width direction,which further makes the reservoir space hard to collapse.

Third Aspect

The attachable-type disposable wearing article according to the firstaspect,

-   wherein a stretchable sheet including the waist elastic members, and    the first and second sheet layers covering a top side and an    underside thereof is attached to the second area,-   wherein a front edge of the stretchable sheet is coincident with a    front edge of the second area, and-   wherein the second bending part is free of the stretchable sheet.

Effect

With such a structure, the portion where the stretchable sheet islocated, i.e., the portion adjacent backward to the second bending part,has a relatively higher rigidity in the presence of the stretchablesheet. Thus, the rigidity of the second area may be made higher thanthat of the second bending part with a simple structure using aparticular arrangement of the stretchable sheet. Further, higherrigidity is imparted to the second area also by contraction in the widthdirection, which further makes the reservoir space hard to collapse.

Fourth Aspect

The attachable-type disposable wearing article according to the secondor third aspect,

wherein a stretch rate of the waist elastic members in the spread stateis 160 to 230%.

Effect

The stretch rate of the waist elastic members may suitably be decided,and is preferably within the above range in view of improved rigidity ofthe second area.

Fifth Aspect

The attachable-type disposable wearing article according to any one ofthe first to fourth aspects,

-   wherein a back edge of the absorber body is coincident with a back    edge of the third area, and-   wherein the second bending part is exclusive of the absorber body.

Effect

According to the present attachable-type disposable wearing article, thethird area containing the absorber body has a relatively higherrigidity, whereas the second bending part exclusive of the absorber bodyhas a relatively lower rigidity, so that the rigidity of the third areamay be made higher than that of the second bending part with a simplestructure using a particular arrangement of the absorber body.

Sixth Aspect

The attachable-type disposable wearing article according to any one ofthe first to fourth aspects,

-   wherein the absorber body includes a primary absorber body provided    adjacent forward to the second bending part, and an auxiliary    absorber body provided in the second area and adjacent backward to    the second bending part, and-   wherein the second bending part is positioned between the primary    absorber body and the auxiliary absorber body, and exclusive of both    the absorber bodies.

Effect

According to the present attachable-type disposable wearing article, theprimary absorber body and the auxiliary absorber body adjacent forwardand backward to the second bending part, respectively, are provided,high rigidity is imparted to each of the absorber bodies, and the secondbending part exclusive of both the absorber bodies and having lowrigidity is positioned between these absorber bodies. According to thisaspect, the second area, which contains the auxiliary absorber body, hashigh rigidity. Thus, the second area is securely raised to make thereservoir space hard to collapse.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, advantages, such as improvement inretainability of the reservoir space, is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape-type disposable diaper in its spreadstate, illustrating the interior surface thereof.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tape-type disposable diaper in its spreadstate, illustrating the exterior surface thereof.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 9-9 in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a relevant part.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a relevant part, shown enlarged, on one side ofthe center line (dash-dot line) passing the center of the width (theother side appears symmetric with respect to the center line).

FIG. 9(a) is a sectional view taken along lines 8-8 in FIG. 1 , and FIG.9(b) is a sectional view schematically illustrating the raised statethereof.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a relevant part, shown enlarged, on one sideof the center line (dash-dot line) passing the center of the width (theother side appears symmetric with respect to the center line).

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a relevant part, shown enlarged, on one sideof the center line (dash-dot line) passing the center of the width (theother side appears symmetric with respect to the center line).

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a relevant part.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a relevant part, shown enlarged, on one sideof the center line (dash-dot line) passing the center of the width (theother side appears symmetric with respect to the center line).

FIG. 14(a) is a sectional view corresponding to the sectional view takenalong lines 8-8 in FIG. 1 , and FIG. 14(b) is a sectional viewschematically illustrating the raised state thereof.

FIG. 15(a) is a sectional view corresponding to the sectional view takenalong lines 8-8 in FIG. 1 , illustrating the reservoir space in thecollapsed state, and FIG. 15(b) is a sectional view thereof taken alonglines 9-9.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a relevant part.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a relevant part, shown enlarged, on one sideof the center line (dash-dot line) passing the center of the width (theother side appears symmetric with respect to the center line).

FIG. 18 is a front view of a relevant part of a sample in the naturallength.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a sample in the worn state.

FIG. 20 illustrates plan views of the stretchable sheet.

FIG. 21 shows relevant part of the stretchable sheet, wherein FIG. 21(a)is a plan view in the spread state, and FIG. 21(b) is a plan view in thenatural length.

FIG. 22(a) is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 21 , FIG.22(b) is a sectional view in the natural length taken along lines 4-4 ofFIG. 21 , and FIG. 21(c) is a sectional view in a stretched state tosome extent taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 21 .

FIG. 23 shows relevant part of the stretchable sheet, wherein FIG. 23(a)is a plan view in the spread state, and FIG. 23(b) is a plan view in thenatural length.

FIG. 24(a) is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 in FIG. 23 , FIG.24(b) is a sectional view in the natural length taken along lines 5-5 ofFIG. 23 , and FIG. 24(c) is a sectional view in a stretched state tosome extent taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 23 .

FIG. 25 is a plan view of a relevant part, shown enlarged, on one sideof the center line (dash-dot line) passing the center of the width (theother side appears symmetric with respect to the center line).

FIG. 26 is a plan view of a relevant part, shown enlarged, on one sideof the center line (dash-dot line) passing the center of the width (theother side appears symmetric with respect to the center line).

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 9 show an example of a tape-type disposable diaper, whereinreference sign X refers to the overall width of the diaper exclusive ofthe attaching tapes, reference sign L refers to the overall length ofthe diaper and, in the sectional views, dotted pattern regions representa hot melt adhesive as joining means for joining various componentslocated on top or bottom side thereof. The hot melt adhesive may beapplied using a known technique, such as slot application, beadapplication in continuous lines or dotted lines, spray application inspiral or Z shapes, or pattern coating (transfer of a hot melt adhesiveby relief printing). In place of or in addition to these, fixingportions of elastic members may be fixed to adjacent members byapplication of a hot melt adhesive to the external surface of theelastic members. Examples of the hot melt adhesive include, but notlimited to, EVA-based, pressure-sensitive rubber-based(elastomer-based), polyolefin-based, and polyester/polyamide-basedadhesives. The joining means for joining various components mayalternatively be material melt-bonding, such as heat sealing orultrasonic sealing.

This tape-type disposable diaper has a crotch section containing themiddle of the front-back direction LD, a ventral section F extendingforward from the middle in the front-back direction LD, and a dorsalsection B extending backward of the middle of the front-back directionLD. Further, this tape-type disposable diaper has an absorber body 56contained in the region including the crotch section, a liquid-pervioustop sheet 30 covering the top side of the absorber body 56, aliquid-impervious sheet 11 covering the underside of the absorber body56, and an exterior nonwoven sheet 12 covering the underside of theliquid-impervious sheet to constitute the product exterior surface.

Materials and features of each part will now be explained in turn.

Absorber Body

The absorber body 56 may be in a rectangular shape as in the illustratedembodiment, or a shape having a middle portion in the front-backdirection narrowed so as to fit around each leg (hourglass-like shape).Reference sign 56x refers to the overall width of the absorber body 56.The absorber body 56 absorbs and holds excreted fluid, and may be formedof an assembly of fibers. Such an assembly of fibers may be a stack ofdiscontinuous fibers of fluff pulp, synthetic fibers, or the like, aswell as an assembly of filaments obtained by opening, where necessary,tows (fiber bundles) of synthetic fibers, such as cellulose acetate. Thebasis weight of the fibers may be about 100 to 300 g/m² for a stack offluff pulp or discontinuous fibers, and about 30 to 120 g/m² for anassembly of filaments. The fineness of the synthetic fibers, when used,is, for example, 1 to 16 dtex, preferably 1 to 10 dtex, more preferably1 to 5 dtex. The filaments in the assembly may be uncrimped fibers, butmay preferably be crimped fibers.

The bending resistance of the absorber body 56 is not particularlylimited, and may be 75 mm or more as measured in the front-backdirection of the absorber body 56 in accordance with JIS L 1913: 2010“41.5° Cantilever Method” for better raising of the second area 20 bediscussed later.

Superabsorbent Polymer Particles

The absorber body 56 may be caused partially or entirely to containsuperabsorbent polymer particles. The superabsorbent polymer particlesinclude not only “particles”, but also “powders”. Superabsorbent polymerparticles used in this kind of attachable-type disposable wearingarticles may be used as they are as the superabsorbent polymer particleshere. The particle size of the superabsorbent polymer particles is notparticularly limited and, for example, the particles may preferably havesuch a particle size that, when the particles are subjected to sieving(five-minute shaking) through a 500 µm standard sieve (JIS Z8801-1:2006), followed by further sieving (five-minute shaking) through a 180µm standard sieve (JIS Z8801-1: 2006) of the particles sieved throughthe previous sieve, the percentage of the particles remaining on the 500µm standard sieve is 30 wt% or less and the percentage of the particlesremaining on the 180 µm standard sieve is 60 wt% or more.

Any materials of the superabsorbent polymer particles may be usedwithout particular limitation, and those having a water absorption of 40g/g or more are preferred. The superabsorbent polymer particles may bestarch-based, cellulose-based, or synthetic polymer-based, andstarch-acrylic acid (salt) graft copolymers, saponified products ofstarch-acrylonitrile copolymers, cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose, or acrylic acid (salt) polymers may be used. Thesuperabsorbent polymer particles may preferably be in ordinary powder orgranular form, but particles in other forms may also be used.

The superabsorbent polymer particles having a water absorption speed of70 seconds or less, particularly 40 seconds or less, may preferably beused. With too slow a water absorption speed, the absorber body 56 islikely to undergo so-called back flow, wherein liquid supplied into theabsorber body 56 returns out of the absorber body 56.

The superabsorbent polymer particles may preferably be those having agel strength of 1000 Pa or higher. With such property, when thesuperabsorbent polymer particles are formed into a bulky absorber body56, stickiness after liquid absorption may effectively be limited.

The basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer particles may suitably bedecided depending on the absorption amount required in a use of theabsorber body 56. Thus, it depends, but the basis weight may usually be50 to 350 g/m².

Packing Sheet

For limiting escape of the superabsorbent polymer particles, or forimproving maintenance of the shape of the absorber body 56, the absorberbody 56 may be wrapped with a packing sheet 58 to produce an absorbentelement 50, which is to be disposed inside. The packing sheet 58 may betissues, in particular, crepe paper, nonwoven fabric,polyethylene-laminated nonwoven fabric, perforated sheet, or the like,provided that sheets through which the superabsorbent polymer particleswill not escape are preferred. When nonwoven fabric is used in place ofcrepe paper, hydrophilic SMMS(spunbonded/melt-blown/melt-blown/spunbonded) nonwoven fabric isparticularly preferred, which may be made of polypropylene,polyethylene/polypropylene, or the like. The basis weight is preferably5 to 40 g/m², particularly 10 to 30 g/m².

One such packing sheet 58 may be used, as shown in FIG. 3 , to wrap theentire absorber body 56, or a plurality of sheets, such as an uppersheet and a lower sheet, may be used to wrap the entire absorber body56. Alternatively, the packing sheet 58 may be omitted.

Top Sheet

The top sheet 30 is liquid-pervious, and may be, for example, perforatedor imperforated nonwoven fabric or porous plastic sheet.

The top sheet 30 extends in the front-back direction LD from the frontend to the back end of the product, and in the width direction WDlaterally beyond the absorber body 56, but its shape may suitably bemodified, for example, so that the width of the top sheet 30 is shorterthan the entire width of the absorber body 56, for example, in casewhere the starting points of standup gather parts 60 to be discussedlater are located on the center side of the side edges of the absorberbody 56 in the width direction WD, or otherwise required.

Intermediate Sheet

For the purpose of preventing back flow of the liquid permeated throughthe top sheet 30, an intermediate sheet (also referred to as “secondsheet”) 40 may be provided on the underside of the top sheet 30. Theintermediate sheet 40 may alternatively be omitted.

The intermediate sheet 40 may preferably be selected from various typesof nonwoven fabric, and may preferably be of air-through nonwoven fabricfor its bulkiness. The air-through nonwoven fabric is preferably made ofcomposite fibers of a core-clad structure, wherein the resin for thecore may be polypropylene (PP), or preferably polyester (PET), which hasa higher stiffness. The basis weight is preferably 17 to 80 g/m², morepreferably 25 to 60 g/m². The fineness of the raw material fibers of thenonwoven fabric is preferably 2.0 to 10 dtex. For making nonwoven fabricbulky, it is also preferred to use eccentric fibers having off-centeredcores, hollow fibers, or eccentric hollow fibers, entirely as the rawmaterial fibers or partially mixed fibers.

In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate sheet 40 is shorter thanthe absorber body 56 in width and is arranged in the center, but may beprovided over the entire width. Further, the intermediate sheet 40 maybe provided over the entire length of the diaper, or only in the middleportion including the excretion area, as in the illustrated embodiment.

Liquid-Impervious Sheet

The liquid-impervious sheet 11 is not particularly limited, and maypreferably have moisture-permeability. As the liquid-impervious sheet11, for example, a microporous sheet may preferably be used which isobtained by kneading an inorganic filler in a polyolefin-based resin,such as polyethylene or polypropylene, molding the resulting mixtureinto a sheet, and then uni- or biaxially drawing the sheet.Alternatively, the liquid-impervious sheet 11 may be those based onnonwoven fabric with improved waterproof property.

The liquid-impervious sheet 11 preferably extends over the same or widerextent than that of the absorber body 56 in the front-back direction LDand in the width direction WD but, when another liquid-shielding meansis present, may not cover the ends or edges of the absorber body 56 inthe front-back direction LD and in the width direction WD, as necessary.

Exterior Nonwoven Sheet

The exterior nonwoven sheet 12 covers the entire underside of theliquid-impervious sheet 11 to impart a fabric-like appearance to theproduct exterior. One sheet of nonwoven fabric may be used, or aplurality of sheets of nonwoven fabric may be stacked and used. In thelatter case, the nonwoven sheets may preferably be adhered together witha hot melt adhesive or the like. The nonwoven sheet, when used,preferably has a fineness of its constituting fibers of 1.6 to 2.3 dtex,a basis weight of 15 to 25 g/m², and a thickness of 0.3 to 0.8 mm.

Standup Gather Parts

It is preferred to provide standup gather parts 60 which stand up fromthe top face along the shielding positions of bodily waste on widthwiseWD opposed lateral sides of the top face for blocking the bodily wastemigrating laterally on the top sheet 30 and thereby preventing so-calledside leakage.

More specifically, each of the standup gather parts 60 has a rootportion 65 fixed to the region including a side flap SF, a main bodyportion 66 extending from the root portion, a front laid-down portion 67f and a back laid-down portion 67 b formed by fixing the front and backend portions, respectively, of the main body portion 66 in a laid downstate, and a standup portion 68 formed by unfixing the main body portion66 between the front laid-down portion 67 f and the back laid-downportion 67 b. The standup portion 68 has gathering elastic members 63attached at least to its free edge area.

The standup gather parts 60 in the illustrated embodiment are eachcomposed of a gathered sheet 62, which is folded in double to form thefree edge of the main body portion 66 (the edge opposite from the rootportion 65) so that the area including the free portion has adouble-layered structure. The gathering elastic members 63 are heldbetween the layers of this double-layered structure. The gatheringelastic members 63 may be provided only in the standup portion 68, ormay preferably be fixed, as in the illustrated embodiment, from the backend area of the front laid-down portion 67 f to the front end area ofthe back laid-down portion 67 b, so that the contracting force of thegathering elastic members 63 not only acts over the entire standupportion 68, but also on the end areas of the front laid-down portion 67f and of the back laid-down portion 67 b.

The inner face of the gathered sheet 62 has a joining start edgepositioned on a lateral side portion of the top sheet 30 in the widthdirection WD, and the portion outward in the width direction of thisjoining start edge is bonded to the inner face of the corresponding sideflap SF, i.e., in the illustrated embodiment, to a lateral side portionof the liquid-impervious sheet 11 and to a lateral side portion of theexterior nonwoven sheet 12 located laterally outward thereof in thewidth direction, with a hot melt adhesive or the like.

Each standup gather part 60 is fixed to the top sheet 30 on the innerside in the width direction of the joining start edge at both endportions in the product front-back direction, while the standup portion68 between the end portions of the standup gather part 60 is a non-fixedfree portion. Accordingly, with the contracting force of the gatheringelastic members 63, the standup portion 68 is contracted in thefront-back direction and raised while it is stretchable in thefront-back direction, so as to be brought into close contact with thebody surface. Further, the standup portion 68, while contracting in thefront-back direction under the contracting force of the gatheringelastic members 63, deforms to bring the front laid-down portion 67 fand the back laid-down portion 67 b closer.

Though not shown, as is well known, the main body portion 66 of thestandup gather part 60 may be formed in double, having a proximalportion extending from lateral outer side to lateral inner side in thewidth direction, and a distal portion folded toward the body along andextending laterally outward in the width direction from the edge of theproximal portion located closer to the center of the width, and the mainbody portion 66 may be fixed at both end portions in the front-backdirection to form laid-down portions.

The type of the gathered sheet 62 is not particularly limited, and isusually water-repelling for ensuring liquid-shielding property. Inparticular, for imparting both texture and liquid-shielding property,nonwoven fabric having at least one melt-blown layer between spunbondedlayers (SMS nonwoven fabric, SMMS nonwoven fabric, SSMS nonwoven fabric,or SSMMS nonwoven fabric) is preferred. One sheet of nonwoven fabric maybe used, or a plurality of sheets of nonwoven fabric may be stacked andused. In the latter case, the nonwoven sheets may preferably be adheredtogether with a hot melt adhesive or the like.

The gathering elastic members 63 may be rubber threads (spandex rubberthreads having a fineness of about 420 to 1120 dtex) or the like. Aplurality of gathering elastic members 63 may be provided on each sideof the product as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , or one gathering elasticmember 63 may be provided on each side. The stretch rate of thegathering elastic members 63 in the spread state may suitably bedecided, and may be, for example, about 230 to 270%.

Side Flaps

The tape-type disposable diaper of the illustrated embodiment has a pairof side flaps SF a of the absorber body 56, extending respectivelylaterally beyond the opposed lateral edges of the absorber body 56. Theside flaps SF may be formed of the material continuous from the regioncontaining the absorber body 56 (exterior nonwoven sheet 12 or thelike), or may be formed of another material and attached.

Planar Gathers

Each side flap SF is provided with side elastic members 64, which are ofelongate elastic members, such as rubber threads, and are fixed in theirstretched state in the front-back direction LD, to thereby form theround-leg portion of each side flap SF into planar gathers. The sideelastic members 64 may be provided between the gathered sheet 62 and theliquid-impervious sheet 11 in the outer vicinity in the width directionof the joining start edge in the joined portion of the gathered sheet 62as in the illustrated embodiment, or between the liquid-impervious sheet11 and the exterior nonwoven sheet 12 in each side flap SF. A pluralityof the side elastic members 64 may be provided on each lateral side asin the illustrated embodiment, or only one side elastic member 64 may beprovided on each lateral side.

The planar gathers are formed where the contracting force of the sideelastic members 64 acts (in the illustrated embodiment, where the sideelastic members 64 are shown). Thus, structures are conceivable, whereinthe side elastic members 64 are present only in the area of the planargathers, or wherein the side elastic members 64 are present on either orboth of the front side and back side of the planar gathers, but thecontacting force of the side elastic members 64 acts only in the area ofthe planar gathers, while the contracting force is made not to act inthe area other than the area of the planar gathers (substantiallyequivalent to absence of the elastic members) by finely cutting the sideelastic members at one or a plurality of locations other than the areaof the planar gathers, by not fixing the side elastic members 64 to thesheets between which the side elastic members 64 are interposed, or byboth.

Wings

In the present tape-type disposable diaper, the dorsal section B isprovided with wings WP extending beyond the crotch section M in thewidth direction WD. Similarly, the ventral section F is also providedwith wings WP extending beyond the crotch section M in the widthdirection WD. These wings WP may be formed of parts separate from theremaining portions. However, in the structure having the side flaps SFas in the illustrated embodiment, it is preferred for facilitatingproduction that the wings WP are formed by cutting out each lateral sideof the side flap SF in the middle in the front-back direction LD to forma concave edge extending from the lateral edge of the crotch section Mto the lower edge of each wing.

Attaching Tapes

Each wing WP in the dorsal section B is provided with an attaching tape13 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 , which is to be detachably attached tothe exterior face of the ventral section F. In fitting the diaper, theattaching tapes 13 are brought onto the exterior face of the ventralsection F around the lateral sides of the waist to attach the attachingparts 13A of the attaching tapes 13 to the appropriate positions on theexterior face of the ventral section F.

Each attaching tape 13 has, as shown in FIG. 5 , a base sheet 13Sforming a base portion 13C fixed to the wing WP and a body portion 13Bextending from the base portion 13C, and an attaching part 13A disposedin the middle of the body portion 13B in the width direction WD in thebase sheet 13S and is to be attached to the ventral section F. In thebody portion 13B, the area closer to the base portion 13C than theattaching part 13A is a non-attachable area, which is not to be attachedto the ventral section F, whereas the area opposite to thenon-attachable area forms a grip area. These non-attachable area and thegrip area are formed only of the base sheet 13S constituting the bodyportion 13B.

The attaching part 13A is formed of a hook member (male part) of amechanical fastener (hook and loop fastener). The hook member has anumber of engaging projections on its connecting surface, and theengaging projections may be in various shapes, such as (A) tick-shaped,(B) J-shaped, (C) mushroom-shaped, (D) T-shaped, or (E) doble J-shaped(wherein J-shaped parts are joined back to back), and any shape may beemployed.

Further, the base sheet 13S forming from the base portion 13C to thebody portion 13B may be formed of nonwoven fabric, plastic film,polyethylene-laminated nonwoven fabric, paper, or composites thereof.

Each attaching part 13A in the illustrated embodiment is provided on thebase sheet 13S of the attaching tape 13 extending from the wing WP, butmay be provided directly on the wing WP.

Target Sheet

At the sites in the ventral section F to be engaged by the attachingtapes 13, a target sheet 12T is disposed.

The material of the target sheet 12T is not particularly limited and,when the attaching parts A are the hook members, the target sheet 12Tmay be formed of a continuous fiber nonwoven fabric wherein the fibersare melt-bonded together locally through intermittent ultrasonicsealing. In this case, the continuous fiber nonwoven fabric preferablyhas a fineness of its constituent fibers of 5 to 10 dtex, a basis weightof 25 to 40 g/m² and a thickness of 0.3 to 0.8 mm.

When the attaching parts 13A are the hook members, the target sheet 12Tmay have a multitude of thread loops on which the engaging projectionsof the hook members are caught, provided on the surface of a substratemade of plastic film or nonwoven fabric. A specific example of the abovemay be a composite sheet material wherein a substrate is stitched withlooped pile fiber yarns at least on its exterior face. In such a sheetmaterial, on the exterior face of the substrate, i.e., the exterior faceof the disposable diaper, the looped pile fiber yarns are projected atintervals in the latitudinal and longitudinal direction, whereas on theback side (on the side of the wearer) of the substrate, the pile fiberyarns are combined with each other to form a matrix of the pile fiberradial threads.

Further, when the attaching parts 13A are the hook members and theattaching sites of the attaching tapes 13 in the ventral section F areformed of nonwoven fabric (e.g., having exterior nonwoven sheet 12 as inthe illustrate embodiment), a target sheet 12T may be disposed insidethe exterior nonwoven fabric 12, which sheet is made of plastic sheet,paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like, having attaching positions, such asa scale, displayed by printing thereon. In this case, the user mayeffect the attachment by engaging the hook members of the attachingparts 13A with the fibers of the exterior nonwoven sheet 12 at thepositions on the target sheet 12T seen through the exterior nonwovensheet 12.

On the other hand, when the attaching parts 13A are in the form of apressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the target sheet 12T may be made ofplastic film with a smooth surface for good adhesion, which has beensubjected to release lining.

End Flaps

The tape-type disposable diaper of the present invention has a pair ofend flaps EF exclusive of the absorber body 56, extending respectivelyon the front and back sides of the absorber body 56. The materialsconstituting the end flaps EF vary depending on the structure of thediaper. For example, an end flap EF may be formed from parts of the topsheet 30, the intermediate sheet 40, the gathered sheet 62, theliquid-impervious sheet 11, and the exterior nonwoven fabric 12 whichextend forward and backward of the absorber body 56, are stacked on oneanother, and joined together. When the intermediate sheet 40 or theexterior nonwoven sheet 12 is eliminated unlike the illustratedembodiment, the end flaps EF are formed with the top sheet 30 and theliquid-impervious sheet 11. Alternatively, a separate sheet for formingan end flap EF may be fixedly added forward of or backward of theabsorber body 56 to form an end flap EF.

The dimension in the front-back direction LD of the end flap EF in thedorsal section B is preferably larger than the dimension in thefront-back direction LD of the base portions 13C of the attaching tapes13. Usually, the dimension in the front-back direction LD of the endflap EF is preferably about 20 to 25% of the dimension L in thefront-back direction LD of the overall diaper, and is suitably about 80to 120 mm for baby diapers.

Waist Elastic Members

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 as well as in FIGS. 20(a), 21, and 22 , waistelastic members 71 are fixed to the end flap EF. In the regioncontaining the waist elastic members 71, a waist stretchable region 79is formed which is stretchable in the width direction WD, and contractsin the width direction WD as the waist elastic members 71 contract toform ridges 80 on its top face as shown in FIGS. 15, 18 , or the like.The region containing the waist elastic members 71 may entirely orpartially be the waist stretchable region 79. That is, in the regioncontaining the waist elastic members 71, elasticity of part of the waistelastic members 71 (e.g., in the opposed ends as shown in FIG. 20 ) maybe wrecked by common technique, such as cutting. As may be noted fromthe above, the waist stretchable region 79 is a region bounded by thelines circumscribing the area in which the elasticity of none of thewaist elastic members 71 is wrecked.

The wait elastic members 71 are not particularly limited as long as theyare made of a material which per se elastically stretches and contracts.For example, elongate elastic materials, such as those in the form ofthreads or strings (e.g., spandex rubber thread having a fineness ofabout 420 to 1120 dtex), elastic materials in the form of a web orperforated or imperforated film, or stretchable nonwoven fabric maysuitably be used.

When elongate elastic members are used as the waist elastic members 71,it is preferred to provide a plurality of elongate waist elastic members71 each extending in the width direction WD and arranged at intervals inthe front-back direction LD, a first sheet layer 73 adjacent to the topside of the waist elastic members 71, and a second sheet layer 74adjacent to the underside of the waist elastic members 71, as in theillustrated embodiment.

The first sheet layer 73 and the second sheet layer 74 are notparticularly limited and, for example, other members constituting theend flap EF (e.g., top sheet 30 and the liquid-impervious sheet 11) mayalso be used as the first sheet layer 73 and the second sheet layer 74,or a separate first sheet layer 73 and a separate second sheet layer 74may be provided as in the illustrated embodiment. That is, in theillustrated embodiment, a stretchable sheet 70 wherein the waist elasticmembers 71 are fixed between a separate first sheet layer 73 and aseparate second sheet layer 74 is attached to the end flap EF. Such aseparate first sheet layer 73 and the second sheet layer 74 may be madeof various nonwoven fabric.

The first sheet layer 73 and the second sheet layer 74 may be twoseparate sheets as shown in FIG. 9 , or may be one half and the otherhalf of one sheet folded in half along a folding line as shown in FIG.15 .

As the elastic members 71, about five to fifteen elastic members may bedisposed at 3 to 10 mm intervals in the front-back direction LD. It ispreferred, as in the illustrated embodiment, that the position of thefront edge of the waist stretchable region 79 (the front-most waistelastic member 71) is spaced apart in the front-back direction LD fromthe position of the back edge of the absorber body 56, the front endportion of the absorber body 56 will not contract in the width directionWD, which is preferable. The stretch rate of the elastic members in thespread state may be about 160 to 230%.

The first sheet layer 73 and the second sheet layer 74 may be joinedcontinuously over both the front-back direction LD and the widthdirection WD, or joined intermittently at least in one of thedirections. Further, it suffices that fixing portions 76 wherein theelastic members 71 are fixed to the first sheet layer 73 and to thesecond sheet layer 74 are provided at least in the opposed end portionsof the waist elastic members 71.

As in the illustrated embodiment, it is preferred that joined zones 75of the first sheet layer 73 and the second sheet layer 74 providedlinearly continuously or intermittently from forward of the waiststretchable region 79 to backward thereof and unjoined zones 77 of thefirst sheet layer 73 and the second sheet layer 74 provided linearlycontinuously from forward of the waist stretchable region 79 to backwardthereof are arranged alternately and repeatedly in the width directionWD. In this way, when the waist stretchable region 79 is in thecontracted state, the first sheet layer 73 and the second sheet layer 74in the unjoined zones 77 bulge in opposite directions as shown in FIGS.22(b), 22(c), 24(b), and 24(c), which results in formation of ridges 80extending continuously from forward of the waist stretchable region 79to backward thereof and repeated in the width direction WD. Each joinedzone 75 may be provided intermittently in the direction transverse tothe width direction WD as shown, for example, in FIGS. 23 and 24 , butmay preferably be provided linearly continuously in the directiontransverse to the width direction WD, except for the first bending partto be discussed later as shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 .

The width 75w of each joined zone 75 (the dimension in the directiontransverse to the locus (tangent line in case of a curved line) of thepoints located equidistant from the opposed edges of a joined zone 75)preferably does not vary (being constant), but may vary. When the width75w of the joined zone 75 varies, the maximum width is preferably two tofive times the minimum width. The width 75w of the joined zone 75 maysuitably be decided, and is usually preferably 0.5 to 2 mm, as the airpermeability is poor with too large a width, whereas with too small awidth, the joined zones 75 may be separated to deteriorate thestretchability and thus the leak protection property. The dimension 77win the width direction WD of each unjoined zone 77 in the spread statedetermines the height of a ridge 80 and is usually preferably 4 to 8 mm.

The fixing portions 76 for the waist elastic members 71 is notparticularly limited as long as the first sheet layer 73 and the secondsheet layer 74 contract together with the waist elastic members 71 toform the waist stretchable region 79. For example, with the joined zones75 extending continuously in the direction crossing the waist elasticmembers 71 as in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 , eachjoined zone 75 intersecting with the waist elastic members 71 may actalso as a fixing portion 76. On the other hand, when the waist elasticmembers 71 and the joined zones 75 do not intersect as shown in FIGS. 23and 24 , fixing portions 76 (not shown) may be provided only in theopposed edge portions of the waist stretchable region 79, separate fromthe joined zones 75.

The joining between the first sheet layer 73 and the second sheet layer74 in the joined zones 75, and the fixing of the waist elastic members71 in the fixing portions 76 may be effected with a hot melt adhesive orknown means including melt-bonding, such as heat sealing or ultrasonicsealing. In the joined zones 75, the first sheet layer 73 and the secondsheet layer 74 may be joined directly where the elastic members are notpresent, or may be joined indirectly with the waist elastic members 71interposed.

The stretchable sheet 70 may be, as in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 7 to 9(a), interposed between any suitable members placed betweenthe top sheet 30 and the exterior nonwoven sheet 12 (in the illustratedembodiment, interposed between the top sheet 30 and the intermediatesheet 40 on one side and the liquid-impervious sheet 11 on the otherside, but may be interposed between the liquid-impervious sheet 11 andthe exterior nonwoven sheet 12), or may be disposed as the top-mostlayer to be located closest to the skin as in the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 12 to 15 and 16 to 17 . In case of the latter, the stretchablesheet 70 may be arranged above the gathered sheet 62 where present(i.e., the entire stretchable sheet is the top-most layer), or may bearranged between the top sheet 30 and the gathered sheet 62.

The joining pattern between the stretchable sheet 70 and the constituentmembers of the end flap EF stacked with the stretchable sheet 70 ispreferably such that ridges 80 similar to the ridges formed in thestretchable sheet 70 are formed in the top face of the waist stretchableregion 79. For example, the stretchable sheet 70 and the members of theend flap EF stacked therewith may be joined continuously both in thefront-back direction LD and the width direction WD, or joinedcontinuously at least in one of the front-back direction LD and thewidth direction WD. When the joining between the stretchable sheet 70and the members of the end flap EF stacked therewith (top sheet 30 orthe like) is continuous in the width direction WD, the ridges 80 formedin the stretchable sheet 70 correspond to the ridges 80 formed in thetop face of the waist stretchable region 79 as shown in a dash-dot linein FIG. 22(c).

Reservoir Space

It is preferred that, as shown enlarged in FIG. 8 , a linear firstbending part 91 extending in the width direction WD from the front edgeof one of the back laid-down portions 67 b to the front edge of theother of the back laid-down portions 67 b and a linear second bendingpart 92 extending in the width direction WD and spaced forwardly apartfrom the first bending part 91 are provided, and a first area 10, whichis an area adjacent backward to the first bending part 91, and a secondarea 20, which is an area located between the first bending part 19 andthe second bending part 92, are defined, and the waist stretchableregion 79 is provided at least between the opposed right and left backlaid-down portions 67 b.

In this case, with the contracting force of the gathering elasticmembers 63 of the standup gather parts 60, the second area 20 is raisedalong the second bending part as the stand-up line, while a portion ofthe waist stretchable region 79 located in the first area 10 is, due tothe contraction in the width direction WD, pressed against the skin ofthe wearer, so that the first area 10 is bent back along the firstbending part with respect to the second area 20, as shown in FIG. 9(b).Accordingly, in the present attachable-type disposable wearing article,the second area 20 is raised as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 , and the firstarea 10 backward thereof is pressed against the skin of the wearer,which lead to the back edge of the absorber body 56 and its front andback vicinities being depressed almost over the entire width of theabsorber body 56 to ensure formation of a deep, wide reservoir space 21(pocket). On the waist side of the depression forming the reservoirspace 21, the second area 20 is raised and the first area 10 backwardthereof is pressed against the skin of the wearer, so that the backwardmigration of the bodily waste is highly effectively held back, whilegood fitting against the body surface of a wearer is provided.

It suffices that the waist stretchable region 79 is provided only in thefirst area 10, as long as the waist stretchable region 79 is formed atleast between the right and left back laid-down portions 67 b in thefirst area 10, but preferably provided over the first area 10 and thesecond area 20. This arrangement includes the embodiment wherein, as inthe illustrated embodiment, the waist elastic members 71 are separatelyprovided in the first area 10 and in the second area 20, and anembodiment, not shown, wherein an elastic material in the form of asheet is provided over the first area 10 and the second area 20.

When the front edges of the back laid-down portions 67 b (the positionof the first bending part 91) are located forward of the front edge ofthe waist stretchable region 79, the back laid-down portions 67 b, whichhave a poorer fitting property against the skin, extend forwardly beyondthe front edge of the waist stretchable region 79, which is to bepressed against the skin, so that leakage through the back laid-downportion 67 b may occur. In contrast, as in the illustrated embodiment,with the waist elastic members 71 provided in the first area 10 and thesecond area 20 (i.e., the front edges of the back laid-down portions 67b are located coincident with or backward of the front edge of the waiststretchable region 79), not the back laid-down portions 67 b, which havea poorer fitting property against the skin, but the standup portion 68,which has a higher fitting property against the skin, is present forwardof the front edge of the waist stretchable region 79, which is to bepressed against the skin. Consequently, the second area 20 is raised andsubsequently the standup portion 68 of each standup gather part 60located in each of the opposed lateral edges of the second area 20 israised, resulting in still more excellent leak protection property.

When the waist stretchable region 79 is provided over the first area 10and the second area 20, it is preferred that, with a portion of thewaist stretchable region 79 that is located in the second area 20contracted in the width direction WD, ridges 80 extending from the firstbending part 91 toward the second bending part 92 are formed repeatedlyin the width direction WD on the top face of the second area 20, asshown in FIGS. 15, 18 , and the like. In this way, the rigidity of thesecond area 20 is increased to make the reservoir space 21 hard tocollapse. Further, with the ridges 80 that are extending from the firstbending part 91 toward the second bending part 92 formed repeatedly inthe width direction WD in the top face of the second area 20, even whenthe second area 20 falls toward the crotch side (over the regioncontaining the absorber body 56), the reservoir space 21 is maintainedto some extent due to the gaps 81 between the adjacent ridges 80 asshown in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b).

The distance in the front-back direction LD between the first bendingpart 91 and the second bending part 92 (equivalent to the dimension inthe front-back direction LD of the second area 20), which affects thedepth of the reservoir space 21 to be formed, may suitably be decideddepending on the products. For example, usually, the distance in thefront-back direction LD between the first bending part 91 and the secondbending part 92 may be 10 to 40 mm, particularly 20 to 30 mm.

The position in the front-back direction LD of the front edge of thewaist stretchable region 79 may suitably be decided, and usually thedistance in the front-back direction LD between the front edge of thewaist stretchable region 79 and the back edge of the absorber body 56 ispreferably 0.2 to 0.5 times the dimension in the front-back direction LDof the end flap EF. Further, the distance 79a between the front edge ofthe waist stretchable region 79 and the front edges of the backlaid-down portions 67 b may suitably be decided, and is preferably 0 toabout 15 mm.

It suffices that the waist stretchable region 79 is provided only inpart of the region between the right and left back laid-down portions 67b, as long as the waist stretchable region 79 is formed at least betweenthe right and left back laid-down portions 67 b in the end flap EF.However, with the waist stretchable region 79 extending at least up tothe right and left back laid-down portions 67 b as in the illustratedembodiment, the portion located between the right and left standupgather parts 60 and backward of the second area 20 is brought into closecontact with the skin of the wearer over the entire width WD.Accordingly, the leak protection property is still more improved, whichis preferable. From a similar standpoint, the distance 79b in thefront-back direction LD between the back edge of the waist stretchableregion 79 and the back edge of the end flap EF is preferably 17 mm orshorter.

The gathering elastic members 63 may not be positioned above theabsorber body 56 in the spread state, but when at least the gatheringelastic members 63 attached to the leading edge portion of each standupportion 68 are positioned above the absorber body 56, the contractingforce of the gathering elastic members 63 of the standup gather parts 60more directly acts on the second area 20 to facilitate raising of thesecond area 20 along the back edge of the absorber body 56 as thestand-up line, which is preferable.

As in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10 , when the front edges ofthe back laid-down portions 67 b are located backward of the front edgeof the waist stretchable region 79, and a stretchable sheet 70 havingfour or more identical, elongate waist elastic members 71 attachedthereto at intervals in the front-back direction LD is used, it ispreferred that a plurality of first waist elastic members 71 a locatedin the area between the front edges of the back laid-down portions 67 band the front edge of the waist stretchable region 79 and a plurality ofsecond waist elastic members 71 b located in the remaining area areseparately provided, and that the intervals in the front-back directionLD between the first waist elastic members 71 a are 0.4 to 0.6 times theintervals in the front-back direction LD between the second waistelastic members 71 b. In this way, creases extending in the longitudinaldirection are formed in the portion of the second area 20 coincidentwith the waist stretchable region 79, and the rigidity is increased bycompression to make the reservoir space 21 to be formed hard tocollapse, which is preferable.

Further, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 , when the frontedges of the back laid-down portions 67 b are located backward of thefront edge of the waist stretchable region 79, and a stretchable sheet70 having four or more identical, elongate waist elastic members 71attached thereto at intervals in the front-back direction LD is used,all of the waist elastic members 71 may have the same stretch rate, someof the waist elastic members 71 may have a stretch rate different fromthat of the other waist elastic members 71, or all of the waist elasticmembers may have different stretch rates. For example, it is preferredthat the first waist elastic members 71 a located in the area betweenthe front edges of the back laid-down portions 67 b and the front edgeof the waist stretchable region 79 and the second waist elastic members71 b located in the remaining area are separately provided, and that thestretch rate of the first waist elastic members 71 a is 1.05 to 1.15times the stretch rate of the second waist elastic members 71 b. In thisway, creases extending in the longitudinal direction are also formed inthe portion of the second area 20 coincident with the waist stretchableregion 79, and the rigidity is increased by compression to make thereservoir space 21 to be formed hard to collapse, which is preferable.

As in the illustrated embodiment, when a stretchable sheet 70 having aplurality of elongate waist elastic members 71 attached thereto atintervals in the front-back direction LD is used, an edge portionwithout a waist elastic member 71 is inevitably formed in the front edgeportion of the stretchable sheet 70. Here, as in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 11 , when the back end portion of the absorber body56 and the edge of the front end portion of the stretchable sheet 70overlap (the back edge of the absorber body 56 may be coincident withthe front edge of the stretchable sheet 70), the stretchable sheet 70 ispresent all over the front-back direction LD of the second area 20,resulting in improved rigidity. Consequently, the second area 20 issecurely raised to make the reservoir space 21 hard to collapse.Further, with a gap between the front edge of the stretchable sheet 70and the back edge of the absorber body 56, some user may recognize thegap as being thin in thickness and easy to cause leakage, but with theback end portion of the absorber body 56 and the edge of the front endportion of the stretchable sheet 70 overlapping, the resultingappearance will not make the user insecure, which is preferable.

The second area 20 is preferably an area exclusive of the absorber body56 as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 and the like, for littleincrease in thickness even when the second area 20 falls toward thecrotch side along the second bending part 92. Alternatively, as in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 26 , the second area 20 may be providedwith an auxiliary absorber body 56B separate from the primary absorberbody 56A provided in a third area 33 adjacent forward to the secondbending part 92, to thereby enhance the rigidity of the second area 20.In this way, the second area 20 is securely raised to make the reservoirspace 21 hard to collapse, and liquid portion of the bodily wasteintroduced into the reservoir space 21 may be absorbed and held in theauxiliary absorber body 56B in the second area 20. The auxiliaryabsorber body 56B may be made of the same material and may have the samestructure as the primary absorber body 56A.

First Bending Part

The first bending part 91 is preferably a zone that has lower rigidityand is thus easier to bend compared to the first area 10 and the secondarea 20. In this way, the bending position of the first bending part 91is hard to be displaced forward, which facilitates retention of theshape and position of the reservoir space 21. Even when the bendingposition is displaced forward of the first bending part 91 by externalforce temporarily applied during use or product packaging to form aslight inadvertent folding line, the first bending part 91 is stilleasier to bend, and thus the bending position is returned to the firstbending part upon release from the external force to retain the shapeand position of the reservoir space 21. Note that the rigidity of eachpart may be determined by Gurley’s method as disclosed in PatentLiterature 1.

The first bending part 91 is a linear zone extending in the widthdirection WD from the front edge of one of the back laid-down portions67 b to the front edge of the other of the back laid-down portions 67 b,and its dimension in the front-back direction LD may suitably bedecided. The dimension in the front-back direction LD of the firstbending part 91 is preferably small, usually about 1 to 3 mm, and in theillustrated embodiment, preferably smaller than the intervals in thefront-back direction LD between the elastic members.

Means for imparting lower rigidity to the first bending part 91 comparedto the first area 10 and the second area 20 is not particularly limited,and the following two means are typically conceivable.

The first means makes use of enhancement of rigidity by joining means,such as hot melt adhesives or melt-bonding, to reduce the joining amount(amount of adhesives or meltbonded amount) in the first bending part 91compared to those in the first area 10 and the second area 20. FIG. 8shows a specific embodiment intended for t0106 he structure wherein thewaist elastic member is a plurality of elongate waist elastic members 71each extending in the width direction WD and arranged at intervals inthe front-back direction LD, the first area 10 and the second area 20each contain at least one of the waist elastic members 71, and the firstsheet layer 73 adjacent to the top side of the waist elastic members 71and the second sheet layer 74 adjacent to the underside of the waistelastic members 74 are provided. That is, in this embodiment, joinedzones 75 of the first sheet layer 73 and the second sheet layer 74extending backward from the vicinity of the first bending part 91crossing the waist elastic members 71 and unjoined zones 77 of the firstsheet layer 71 and the second sheet layer 74 extending forward from thevicinity of the first bending part 91 crossing the waist elastic members71 are provided alternately and repeatedly in the width direction WD inthe first area 10 and the second area 20. The first bending part 91 isfree of the joined zones 75.

With such a structure, the portion containing the joined zones 75 has arelatively higher rigidity, whereas the portion without the joined zones75 has a relatively lower rigidity. As a result, a first bending part 91with lower rigidity may be formed with a simple structure using aparticular pattern of the joined zones 75. On the other hand, higherrigidity is imparted to the second area 20 by contraction in the widthdirection WD, which further improves the rentainability of the reservoirspace 21. For improved rigidity, the joined zones 75 are preferablyformed by melt-bonding the first sheet layer 73 and the second sheetlayer 74.

The second means is to employ a smaller number of stacked member layersin the first bending part 91 compared to those in the first area 10 andthe second area 20. FIG. 25 shows a specific embodiment whereinstretchable sheets 70A, 70B (with a structure shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 ,or may be made of urethane foam, elastic film, or the like) are disposedin the first area 10 and the second area 20, respectively, but thesestretchable sheets are not placed in the first bending part 91, so thatthe number of the stacked member layers in the first bending part 91 issmaller than those in the first area 10 and the second area 20. In thiscase, the portion having the stretchable sheet 70A, 70B has a relativelyhigher rigidity, whereas the portion without the stretchable sheet 70A,70B has a relatively lower rigidity. As a result, a first bending part91 with lower rigidity may be formed with a simple structure. On theother hand, higher rigidity is imparted to the second area 20 bycontraction in the width direction WD, which further improves therentainability of the reservoir space 21.

Either one or both of the two means discussed above may be employed.

When the auxiliary absorber body 56B is provided in the second area, itis preferred for still less possibility of displacement of the bendingposition to position the back edge of the auxiliary absorber body 56Band the back edge of the second area 20 coincidently, which particularlyincreases the difference in rigidity between the first bending part 91and the portion forward thereof.

Second Bending Part

The second bending part is preferably a zone that has lower rigidity andis thus easier to bend compared to the second area 20 and the third area33 adjacent forward to the second bending part 92. In this way, thebending position of the second bending part 92 is hard to be displacedforward, which facilitates retention of the shape and position of thereservoir space 21. Even when the bending position is displaced backwardof the second bending part 92 by external force temporarily appliedduring use or product packaging to form a slight inadvertent foldingline, the second bending part 92 is still easier to bend, and thus thebending position is returned to the second bending part upon releasefrom the external force to retain the shape and position of thereservoir space 21. Note that the rigidity of each part may bedetermined by Gurley’s method as disclosed in Patent Literature 1.

The second bending part 92 is a linear zone extending in the widthdirection WD and spaced forwardly apart from the first bending part 91,and its dimension in the front-back direction LD may suitably bedecided. The dimension of the front-back direction LD of the secondbending part 92 is preferably small, usually about 1 to 3 mm, and in theillustrated embodiment, preferably smaller than the intervals in thefront-back direction LD between the waist elastic members 71.

Means for imparting lower rigidity to the second bending part 92compared to the second area 20 is not particularly limited, and thefollowing three means are typically conceivable.

The first means makes use of enhancement of rigidity by joining means,such as hot melt adhesives or melt-bonding, to impart lower rigidity tothe second bending part 92 compared to the second area 20. FIG. 8 showsa specific embodiment intended for the structure wherein the waistelastic member is a plurality of elongate waist elastic members 71 eachextending in the width direction WD and arranged at intervals in thefront-back direction LD, the first area 10 and the second area 20 eachcontain at least one of the waist elastic members 71, and the firstsheet layer 73 adjacent to the top side of the waist elastic members 71and the second sheet layer 74 adjacent to the underside of the waistelastic members 74 are provided. In this embodiment, joined zones 75 ofthe first sheet layer 73 and the second sheet layer 74 extendingcontinuously backward from the front edge of the second area 20 crossingthe waist elastic members 71 and unjoined zones 77 of the first sheetlayer 71 and the second sheet layer 74 extending continuously backwardfrom the front edge of the second area 20 crossing the wait elasticmembers 71 are provided alternately and repeatedly in the widthdirection WD in the second area 20.

With such a structure, the front edges of the joined zones 75 arelocated on the front edge of the second area 20, and the portioncontaining the joined zones 75, i.e., the portion adjacent backward tothe second bending part 92, has a relatively higher rigidity in thepresence of the joined zones 75. As a result, the rigidity of the secondarea 20 may be made higher than that of the second bending part 92 witha simple structure using a particular pattern of the joined zones 75.Further, higher rigidity is imparted to the second area 20 also bycontraction in the width direction WD, which further makes the reservoirspace 21 hard to collapse.

The second means is to employ a smaller number of stacked member layersin the second bending part 92 compared to that in the second area 20 toimpart lower rigidity to the second bending part 92 compared to thesecond area 20. FIG. 25 shows a specific embodiment wherein thestretchable sheet 70B (with a structure shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , or maybe made of urethane foam, elastic film, or the like) is disposed in thesecond area 20, the front edge of the stretchable sheet 70B iscoincident with the front edge of the second area 20, and the secondbending part 92 is free of the stretchable sheet 70B.

With such a structure, the portion where the stretchable sheet 70B islocated, i.e., the portion adjacent backward to the second bending part92, has a relatively higher rigidity in the presence of the stretchablesheet 70B. Thus, the rigidity of the second area 20 may be made higherthan that of the second bending part 92 with a simple structure using aparticular arrangement of the stretchable sheet 70B. Further, higherrigidity is imparted to the second area 20 also by contraction in thewidth direction WD, which further makes the reservoir space 21 hard tocollapse.

The third means makes use of enhancement of rigidity by the absorberbody 56 in the second area 20 to impart lower rigidity to the secondbending part 92 compared to that of the second area 20. FIG. 26 shows aspecific embodiment wherein the auxiliary absorber body 56B is providedin the second area 20, with the front edge of the auxiliary absorberbody 56B coincident with the front edge of the second area 20. Thesecond bending part 92 is positioned between the primary absorber body56A and the auxiliary absorber body 56B, and exclusive of both theabsorber bodies. With such a structure, the portion where the auxiliaryabsorber body 56B is located, i.e., the portion adjacent backward to thesecond bending part 92, has a relatively higher rigidity in the presenceof the auxiliary absorber body 56B. Thus, the rigidity of the secondarea 20 may be made higher than that of the second bending part 92 witha simple structure using the auxiliary absorber body 56B.

Any one or a plurality of the three means discussed above may beemployed.

Means for imparting lower rigidity to the second bending part 92compared to the third area 33 is not particularly limited, and it ispreferred, as in the illustrated embodiment, to make use of enhancementof rigidity by the absorber body 56 in the third area 33 to impart lowerrigidity to the second bending part 92 compared to that of the thirdarea 33. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and the like, theback edge of the absorber body 56 (or the primary absorber body 56A inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 26 ) is coincident with the back edge ofthe third area 33, and the second bending part 92 is exclusive of theabsorber body 56. In this case, the third area 33 containing theabsorber body 56 has a relatively higher rigidity, whereas the secondbending part 92 exclusive of the absorber body 56 has a relatively lowerrigidity, so that the rigidity of the third area 33 may be made higherthan that of the second bending part 92 with a simple structure using aparticular arrangement of the absorber body 56.

Direction of Ridges

As in the stretchable sheet 70 shown in FIGS. 8, 9 , and the like, theopposed lateral edges of the unjoined zones 77 and the joined zones 75may extend linearly along the front-back direction LD, but it is alsopreferred, as shown in in FIGS. 18, 20(a), 21, and 23 , that at leastone unjoined zone 77 has opposed lateral edges with oblique portions 72extending at an inclination angle θ (the angle of intersection on theacute angle side, the same is applied to the other inclination angles)of 5 to 45 degrees with respect to the front-back direction LD. It ismore preferred that the inclination angle θ of the oblique portions 72is 8 to 15 degrees. Here, the opposed lateral edges 77 s of the unjoinedzones 77 are defined by the lateral edges of the joined zones 75.Accordingly, when the joined zones 75 extend continuously from forwardof the waist stretchable region 79 to backward thereof as illustrated inFIGS. 20 to 22 , the opposed lateral edges 77 s of the unjoined zones 77refer to the lateral edges of the joined zones 75 in the spread state.Further, when the joined zones 75 extend intermittently (in dotted line)from forward of the waist stretchable region 79 to backward thereof asillustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24 , the opposed lateral edges of theunjoined zones 77 correspond to the phantom lines linearly connectingthe lateral edges of the joined zones 75 in the spread state in theextending direction of the ridges 80. Further, when the inclinationangle θ of the opposed lateral edges 77 s of the unjoined zones 77 withrespect to the front-back direction LD varies continuously, for example,when the opposed lateral edges 77 s of the unjoined zones 77 form curvedlines, such as of an arcuate shape as in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 20(d), the direction of the opposed lateral edges 77 s of theunjoined zones 77 refers to the direction of the tangent line of theopposed lateral edges 77 s of the joined zones 75,

The opposed lateral sides of at least part of the ridges 80 formed inthe top face of the waist stretchable region 79 are, in the locationscorresponding to the oblique portions 72 of the unjoined zones 77,slanted in generally the same direction along the opposed lateral edges77 s of the unjoined zones 77, so that urine or loose stool intrudedinto the gaps 81 between the adjacent ridges 80, when migrates in thefront-back direction LD, impinges on the slanted ridges 80 to producemigration resistance. And the gaps 81 between the adjacent ridges 80 aremade to extend continuously from forward of the waist stretchable region79 to backward thereof like the ridges 80, so that air permeability inthe first area 10, which is to be brought into close contact with theskin, is not impaired. Further, the ridges 80 in the waist stretchableregion 79 are communicated with the depression, which is the reservoirspace 21, so that when the volume of the depression, which is thereservoir space 21, is reduced by the external pressure (generated whenthe wearer takes the seated posture, supine position, or the like), theair in the depression is extruded through the gaps 81 between theadjacent ridges 80 in the first area 10, whereas when the volume of thedepression, which is the reservoir space 21, is increased by release ofthe external pressure, the external air is introduced into thedepression through the gaps 81 between the adjacent ridges 80 in thefirst area 10 (pumping action), so that the leak protection property isimproved as discussed above while excellent air permeability isprovided.

In view of the above, in the illustrated embodiment, it is preferredthat at least all of the unjoined zones 77 in the waist stretchableregion 79 located between the standup gather parts 60 have the obliqueportions 72, and it is preferred that all of the unjoined zones 77located in the region from the back laid-down portion 67 b of one of thestandup gather parts 60 to the back laid-down portion 67 b of the otherof the standup gather parts 60 have the oblique portions 72. It isindisputable that unjoined zones 77 having the oblique portions 72 andunjoined zones 77 without the oblique portions 72 may be arrangedalternately, or one of them may be arranged every plurality of theother.

Each unjoined zone 77 may be formed with the oblique portions 72 in itsentirety as shown in FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b), or may only partially havethe oblique portions 72 as shown in FIGS. 20(c) and 20(d). It ispreferred that the unjoined zones 77 at least in the first area 10 havethe oblique portions 72, and particularly preferred that the unjoinedzones 77 only in the first area 10 have the oblique portions 72, thoughnot shown.

It is preferred that, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20(a),with the unjoined zones 77 with the oblique portions 72 repeatedlyformed from rightward of the center of the width direction WD towardleftward of the center of the width direction WD, when the obliqueportions 72 on the right and the oblique portions 72 on the left arerespectively slanted toward the center of the width direction WD withincreasing proximity to the waist, the ridges 80 are formedsymmetrically to provide excellent appearance, which is preferable. Itis indisputable that, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20(c),the oblique portions 72 on the right and the oblique portions 72 on theleft are respectively slanted away from the center of the widthdirection WD with increasing proximity to the waist.

It is preferred that the ridges 80 are formed symmetrically as in theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 20(a) and 20(c), where misalignment ofthe ridges 80 in the width direction WD would rather impair theappearance. Besides, such precise positioning of the ridges 80 are oftendifficult in the production. As such, it is conceivable that as in theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 20(b) and 20(d), all of the unjoinedzones 77 in the waist stretchable region 79 have the oblique portions 72parallel to each other. In this way, through without symmetry, theridges 80 are arranged in order, and slight misalignment of the ridges80 in the width direction WD will affect little the appearance.

Among the unjoined zones 77 with the oblique portions 72, only theoblique portions 72 at constant angle suffice as in the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b), but it is preferred that theangles of the opposed lateral edges of the unjoined zones 77 vary withrespect to the front-back direction LD in at least one location in theregion from forward of the waist stretchable region 79 to backwardthereof, as in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 20(c) and 20(d).

For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20(c), the unjoinedzones 77 with the oblique portions 72 have a first part P1 wherein theoblique portions 72 extend at an inclination angle θ of 5 to 45 degreeswith respect to the front-back direction LD, and a second part P2wherein the oblique portions 72 extend at an inclination angle γ of 5 to45 degrees with respect to those in the first part P1. With such firstpart P1 and second part P2, even when the direction of the migrationforce applied to urine or loose stool intruded into the gaps 81 iscloser to the direction of either of the parts P1, P2 (liable to passalong those oblique portions 72), the direction of the other of theparts P1, P2 is not closer to the direction of the migration forcecompared to the one, so that the other produces more effectiveresistance to the migration of urine or loose stool. The second part P2may or may not have the inclination angle θ of 5 to 45 degrees withrespect to the front-back direction LD (0 degree in the illustratedembodiment).

Further, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20(d), the opposedlateral edges of each unjoined zone 77 have a continuously varyinginclination angle δ all over the length with respect to the front-backdirection LD, i.e., have a curved shape, such as an arcuate shape. Inthis way, even when the direction of the migration force applied tourine or loose stool intruded into the gaps 81 is closer to thedirection of one location of the gaps 81 (liable to pass that location),the direction of the migration force is not closer to the direction ofthe other locations of the gaps 81, so that the other locations producesmore effective resistance to the migration of urine or loose stool.Thus, the leak protection property discussed above is further enhanced.

For both enhanced air permeability and enhanced leak protectionproperty, the rigidity of the ridges 80 formed in the waist stretchableregion 79 is preferably higher. Accordingly, the stretchable sheet 70 ispreferably interposed between any suitable members placed between thetop sheet 30 and the exterior nonwoven sheet 12 as in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 7 to 9(a), rather than being placed as the top-mostlayer to be located closest to the skin as in the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 12 to 15 or the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 17 . Thatis, one or a plurality of cover sheet layers (in the illustratedembodiment, the intermediate sheet 40 and the top sheet 30) arepreferably provided above the first sheet layer 73 and, in this case,the cover sheet layer is joined to the first sheet layer 73 as shown indash-dot line in FIGS. 22(b) and 22(c), and the first sheet layer 73 andthe cover sheet layer integrally contract to form the ridges 80 in thetop face (formed of the cover sheet layer) of the waist stretchableregion 79.

Nonwoven Fabric

As the nonwoven fabric in the description hereinabove, commonly knownnonwoven fabric may suitably be used depending on the parts or purposes.Examples of the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric include, butnot limited to, synthetic fibers, such as polyolefin-based, e.g.,polyethylene or polypropylene, polyester-based, or polyamide-basedfibers (including not only single component fibers, but also compositefibers, such as of core/sheath type), as well as regenerated fibers,such as rayon or cupra, or natural fibers, such as cotton, and alsomixtures thereof. For improved flexibility of the nonwoven fabric, theconstituent fibers may preferably be crimped fibers. The constituentfibers of the nonwoven fabric may also be hydrophilic fibers (includingthose rendered hydrophilic with hydrophilizers), hydrophobic fibers, orwater-repelling fibers (including those rendered water-repelling withwater repellents). Further, nonwoven fabric may generally be categorizedinto discontinuous fiber nonwoven, continuous fiber nonwoven, spunbondednonwoven, melt blown nonwoven, spunlace nonwoven, thermal bonded (airthrough) nonwoven, needle-punched nonwoven, point-bonded nonwoven,composite nonwoven (SMS or SMMS nonwoven fabric having a melt blownlayer interposed between spunbonded layers), or the like nonwovenfabric, generally depending on the length of the fibers, method offorming the sheet, method of joining the fibers, or layered structure,and any of these nonwoven fabric may be used.

Explanation of Terms in the Specification

The following terms appearing in the present specification shall havethe following means unless otherwise specified herein.

-   The “front-back direction” refers to the direction shown by the    reference sign LD (longitudinal direction) in the figures, whereas    the “width direction” refers to the direction shown by the reference    sign WD (right-left direction) in the figures, and the front-back    direction and the width direction are orthogonal to each other.-   The “MD” and “CD” refer to the flow direction (MD: machine    direction) and the lateral direction orthogonal thereto (CD: cross    direction) in the production facilities, respectively, and either    one of these is aligned to the front-back direction while the other    is aligned to the width direction, depending on the parts of the    product. The MD of nonwoven fabric is the direction of fiber    orientation in the nonwoven fabric. The fiber orientation refers to    the direction along which the fibers of the nonwoven fabric are    aligned, and may be identified, for example, by a measurement method    pursuant to the fiber orientation testing method using zero-span    tensile strength prescribed in TAPPI Standard Method T481, or by a    simplified measurement method for determining the fiber orientation    by the ratio of tensile strengths in the front-back direction and in    the width direction.-   The “top side” refers to the side, when the article is worn, closer    to the skin of the wearer, whereas the “underside” refers to the    side, when the article is worn, away from the skin of the wearer.-   The “top face” refers to the face, when the article is worn, closer    to the skin of the wearer, whereas the “under face” refers to the    face, when the article is worn, away from the skin of the wearer.-   The “stretch rate” refers to a value with respect to the natural    length being 100%. For example, a 200% stretch rate is synonymous    with stretch in two folds.-   The “gel strength” is determined as follows. To 49.0 g of artificial    urine (a mixture of 2 wt% urea, 0.8 wt% sodium chloride, 0.03 wt%    calcium chloride dihydrate, 0.08 wt% magnesium sulfate heptahydrate,    and 97.09 wt% ion-exchanged water), 1.0 g of superabsorbent polymer    is added and stirred with a stirrer. The resulting gel is left in a    chamber with constant temperature and humidity at 40° C. at 60% RH    for 3 hours, and then the temperature is returned to the ordinary    temperature. The gel strength is measured in a curd meter    (Curdmeter-MAX ME-500 manufactured by I. techno Engineering).-   The “basis weight” is determined as follows. A specimen or test    piece is preliminarily dried, left in a laboratory or in apparatus    under the standard conditions (23 1° C. temperature and 50 ± 2%    relative humidity in the testing location) until constant mass is    attained. The preliminary drying refers to attaining constant mass    from a specimen or test piece in the environment at a temperature of    100° C. No preliminary drying may be performed on fibers with an    official regain of 0.0%. From the test piece of the constant mass, a    specimen of 100 mm × 100 mm size is cut out using a sampling    template (100 mm × 100 mm). The weight of the specimen is measured    and multiplied by 100 times to calculate the weight per 1 m², which    is taken as the basis weight.-   The “thickness” is automatically measured using an automatic    thickness meter (KES-G5 handy compression tester program) under a    load of 0.098 N/cm² with the compression area of 2 cm². The    thickness of perforated nonwoven fabric is measured at a position    other than the apertures and the protrusions therearound.-   The water absorption is determined in accordance with JIS K7223 1996    “Testing method for water absorption capacity of super absorbent    polymers”.-   The water absorption speed is defined as the “time spent until the    end point is reached” in carrying out JIS K7224 1996 “Testing method    for water absorption speed of super absorbent polymers” using 2 g of    superabsorbent polymer and 50 g of saline.-   The “spread state” refers to the state in which an article is spread    flatly without contraction or slack.-   The size of each part refers to the size not in the natural length    state but in the spread state, unless otherwise specified.-   A test or measurement shall be, in the absence of description about    environmental conditions, performed in a laboratory or in apparatus    under the standard conditions (23 ± 1° C. temperature and 50 ± 2%    relative humidity in the testing location).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to attachable-type disposablewearing articles, such as the tape-type disposable diapers as describedabove as examples.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS

B: dorsal section EP: end flap F: ventral section LD: front-backdirection SF: side flap WD: width direction WP: wing θ, γ: inclinationangle 10: first area 11: liquid-impervious sheet 12: exterior nonwovensheet 12T: target sheet 13: attaching tape 13A: attaching part 13B: bodyportion 13C: base portion 20: second area 21: reservoir space 30: topsheet 33: third area 40: intermediate sheet 50: absorbent element 56:absorber body 58: packing sheet 60: standup gather part 62: gatheredsheet 63: gathering elastic member 65: root portion 66: main bodyportion 67 b: back laid-down portion 67 f: front laid-down portion 68:standup portion 70: stretchable sheet 71: waist elastic member 72:oblique portion 73: first sheet layer 74: second sheet layer 75: joinedzone 76: fixing portion 77: unjoined zone 79: waist stretchable region80: ridge 81: gap 91: first bending part 92: second bending part 56A:primary absorber body 56B: auxiliary absorber body

1. An attachable-type disposable wearing article comprising: a crotchsection containing a middle of front-back direction, a ventral sectionextending forward from the middle in the front-back direction, and adorsal section extending backward from the middle in the front-backdirection: an absorber body contained in a region including the crotchsection; an attaching part provided in each of opposed lateral portionsof the dorsal section, and to be detachably attached to an exterior faceof the ventral section; an end flap extending backward of a back edge ofthe absorber body; a waist elastic member fixed to the end flap; andstandup gather parts which stand up from a top face along shieldingpositions of bodily waste on lateral sides in the width direction,wherein a region containing the waist elastic member is contracted inthe width direction together with the waist elastic member, and has awaist stretchable region stretchable in the width direction, whereineach of the standup gather parts has a root portion fixed outward in thewidth direction of a shielding position, a main body portion extendingfrom the root portion, a front laid-down portion and a back laid-downportion formed by fixing a front end portion and a back end portion,respectively, of the main body portion in a laid down state, a standupportion formed by unfixing the main body portion between the frontlaid-down portion and the back laid-down portion, and a gatheringelastic member attached at least to a free edge area of the standupportion, wherein at least the free edge area of the standup portion iscontracted in the front-back direction together with the gatheringelastic member and is stretchable in the front-back direction, wherein alinear first bending part extending in the width direction from a frontedge of one of the back laid-down portions to a front edge of the otherof the back laid-down portions, and a linear second bending partextending in the width direction and spaced forwardly apart from thefirst bending part are provided, wherein a first area adjacent backwardto the first bending part and a second area between the first bendingpart and the second bending part are provided, wherein the waiststretchable region is provided at least between the opposed right andleft back laid-down portions, wherein the second bending part has lowerrigidity compared to the second area and a third area adjacent forwardto the second bending part, and wherein, as the standup portionscontract, the second area is raised along the second bending part as astand-up line, and the first area is bent back along the first bendingpart with respect to the second area.
 2. The attachable-type disposablewearing article according to claim 1, further comprising a first sheetlayer adjacent to a top side of the waist elastic members, and a secondsheet layer adjacent to an underside of the waist elastic members,wherein the waist elastic member is a plurality of elongate waistelastic members each extending in the width direction and arranged atintervals in the front-back direction, wherein the first area and thesecond area each contain at least one of the waist elastic members,wherein, in the second area, joined zones of the first sheet layer andthe second sheet layer extending continuously backward from a front edgeof the second area crossing the waist elastic members and unjoined zonesof the first sheet layer and the second sheet layer extendingcontinuously backward from a front edge of the second area crossing thewaist elastic members are provided alternately and repeatedly in thewidth direction, and wherein the second bending part is free of thejoined zones.
 3. The attachable-type disposable wearing articleaccording to claim 1, wherein a stretchable sheet comprising the waistelastic members, and the first and second sheet layers covering a topside and an underside thereof is attached to the second area, wherein afront edge of the stretchable sheet is coincident with a front edge ofthe second area, and wherein the second bending part is free of thestretchable sheet.
 4. The attachable-type disposable wearing articleaccording to claim 2, wherein a stretch rate of the waist elasticmembers in the spread state is 160 to 230%.
 5. The attachable-typedisposable wearing article according to claim 1, wherein a back edge ofthe absorber body is coincident with a back edge of the third area, andwherein the second bending part is exclusive of the absorber body. 6.The attachable-type disposable wearing article according to claim 1,wherein the absorber body comprises a primary absorber body providedadjacent forward to the second bending part, and an auxiliary absorberbody provided in the second area and adjacent backward to the secondbending part, and wherein the second bending part is positioned betweenthe primary absorber body and the auxiliary absorber body, and exclusiveof both the absorber bodies.
 7. The attachable-type disposable wearingarticle according to claim 3, wherein a stretch rate of the waistelastic members in the spread state is 160 to 230%.
 8. Theattachable-type disposable wearing article according to claim 2, whereina back edge of the absorber body is coincident with a back edge of thethird area, and wherein the second bending part is exclusive of theabsorber body.
 9. The attachable-type disposable wearing articleaccording to claim 3, wherein a back edge of the absorber body iscoincident with a back edge of the third area, and wherein the secondbending part is exclusive of the absorber body.
 10. The attachable-typedisposable wearing article according to claim 4, wherein a back edge ofthe absorber body is coincident with a back edge of the third area, andwherein the second bending part is exclusive of the absorber body. 11.The attachable-type disposable wearing article according to claim 2,wherein the absorber body comprises a primary absorber body providedadjacent forward to the second bending part, and an auxiliary absorberbody provided in the second area and adjacent backward to the secondbending part, and wherein the second bending part is positioned betweenthe primary absorber body and the auxiliary absorber body, and exclusiveof both the absorber bodies.
 12. The attachable-type disposable wearingarticle according to claim 3, wherein the absorber body comprises aprimary absorber body provided adjacent forward to the second bendingpart, and an auxiliary absorber body provided in the second area andadjacent backward to the second bending part, and wherein the secondbending part is positioned between the primary absorber body and theauxiliary absorber body, and exclusive of both the absorber bodies. 13.The attachable-type disposable wearing article according to claim 4,wherein the absorber body comprises a primary absorber body providedadjacent forward to the second bending part, and an auxiliary absorberbody provided in the second area and adjacent backward to the secondbending part, and wherein the second bending part is positioned betweenthe primary absorber body and the auxiliary absorber body, and exclusiveof both the absorber bodies.